Employee Relations and Labor Relations Specialist

SAIC; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking an experienced Employee Relations and Labor Relations Specialist to advise employees, managers, and leadership on ER/LR matters. The role focuses on union/labor relations, contract administration, and compliance with employment laws, with the option to work 100% remote within the U.S. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in investigations and labor dispute resolution, and can build strong labor-management partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or related field.
• Experience handling union and labor relations, including investigations and grievances.
• Strong knowledge of FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, NLRA in unionized settings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with clear investigation reports.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for employee and labor relations issues, including disciplinary actions and grievances.
• Conduct objective investigations into complaints in union and non-union environments.
• Manage formal union grievances and participate in mediations/arbitrations.
• Document findings and recommend actions with HR leadership and legal counsel.
• Advise on interpretation and application of CBAs and policies.
• Support collective bargaining, contract renewals, and contract administration.
• Monitor compliance with employment laws and CBAs.
• Develop tools and training to improve manager capability in ER/LR.

Skills

Conflict resolution

Investigations

Labor relations

Policy interpretation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Discretion

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Labor relations

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

HRIS systems

Job description

SAIC is seeking an experienced and strategic Employee Relations and Labor Relations Specialist to join our Human Resources team. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to employees, managers, and leadership, with a strong focus on employee relations and union/labor relations. You will work closely with union representatives, support collective bargaining and contract administration, and help maintain constructive labor management relationships.You will play a key role in fostering a positive, inclusive, and productive work environment by managing complex employee and labor relations matters, ensuring compliance with employment and labor laws, and supporting programs that promote employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.This position can be worked 100% remote within the U.S.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations and labor relations issues, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, grievances, and performance management concerns.
• Conduct thorough, objective, and timely investigations into employee complaints (harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other misconduct) in both union and non union environments.
• Manage formal union grievances, conduct related workplace investigations, and represent the organization during mediations, arbitrations, and other labor management dispute resolution processes.
• Document investigation findings and maintain accurate case files; recommend appropriate corrective actions in partnership with HR leadership and legal counsel.
• Advise managers and employees on the interpretation and application of company policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), ensuring consistent and fair application.
• Serve as a bridge between management and labor unions to:
  • Support or participate in collective bargaining and contract renewals
  • Interpret and administer CBAs
  • Address contract compliance issues and resolve workplace disputes
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment and labor laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, NLRA).
• Review, develop, and update HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to reflect current legal requirements and best practices in employee and labor relations.
• Partner with legal counsel on complex employment and labor matters, including litigation support and responses to EEOC, DOL, NLRB, and other regulatory agency charges.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting employment and labor relations and communicate relevant updates to HR leadership and management.
• Develop and deliver tools, resources, and training to build manager capability in employee and labor relations and to promote a positive, compliant workplace culture.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive HR, employee relations, or labor relations experience, with strong, hands on experience in union and labor relations.
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and managing complex employee relations and labor relations cases, including union grievances.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and state employment and labor laws, including FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, and NLRA, and their application in unionized settings.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise investigation reports and labor relations documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to assess risk, identify trends, and recommend practical solutions.
• Ability to build trust and credibility with employees, managers, union representatives, and leaders at all levels.
• US Citizenship is required.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or a related field.
• Professional HR certification: PHR, SPHR,
• Experience in a multi state or multi site organization with both union and non union populations.
• Extensive, direct experience in union and labor relations, including collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance handling.
• Experience with HRIS systems

SAIC® is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.